This is the second (and final?) book of the Conspiracy of Magic series. We were introduced to the two twin sisters in the first book and then in this book we are dealing with the aftermath of the events with Mary.

I have to admit that I had a hard time with how quickly and completely Mary went off the rails. It felt like Edwina should have had SOME clue....but, that is neither here nor there as we are now thrown into the events happening...up north.

Ian and Edwina escape to supposed safety without realizing that they may just be falling directly into someone's evil plan. It was interesting to be able to have the POV of the "bad guy" while the events were unfolding.

Things honestly ended up being pretty convoluted, but they seemed to work out in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

Edwina Blackwood is a witch. She has closed her shop as her sister has died. As she gets ready to leave the shop an old woman knocks at the door with a bundle in her handles. Edwina decides she will answer her door. Inside the bundle I are beautiful long-stem red roses. Thinking they are from Ian Cameron, she goes to the kitchen to get water for them. When Ian arrives, he denies the roses are from him. Ian finds a card with green ink on the bottom of thepackage. The roses start burning and causing fire to go all throughout the room. She is able to gather her shawl and some inexpensive jewelry on the table. Edwina and Ian watch the store burn. Edwina doesn’t know what to do until she remembers the witch’s safe house. Meanwhile the mysterious person is checking what is going on across London — he wants Edwina for his own nefarious reasons. He thinks he can persuade her to be friends with him. Ian Cameron suggests that they go to Lord Henry Elvanhoot, the famous wizard of the north, who can protect her. Ian Cameron is a supernatural detective is determined to find out who is trying to harm Edwina. Edwina and her deceased sister have/had the ability to shapeshifter into ravens. Edwina still can. Somehow Edwina knows something is not right with the veil between Earth and the Otherworld. Will Edwina be able to discover what it is and stop it? Is that unknown person who caused the store to burn still after Edwina? Is it because of her ancient bloodline?

The author has written a marvelous story. It has enchanted me while I read it and now when I think off it. The mystery of the man going after Edwina, Ian falling in love with Edwina and Edwina learning about herself. There is magic in the Victorian era in this novel. The novel has adventure, mystery and a romance starting to bloom.

I had a bit of skepticism about reading this with my TBR list being as long as it is. However, I gave it a shot. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The book has far too many details told in almost a list like manner. When the bad guy is dressing himself up for his demon summoning it sounds like he is reading a grocery list of what to wear to the occasion. I got bored.

I did not realize this was the second book in the series and having not read the first one, I felt at a disadvantage. Overall it was kind of meh for me.

This book is just as enjoyable as book one was. I’m fascinated by Edwina and her magic. Her self discovery has been a ride worth taking.

Her romance with Ian is sweet and subtle this story is heavily plot driven which I love.

The spice level is low, but the world created by Luanne is anything but dull.

This was a great read for this time of year and a perfectly timed release.

Check this book out if you want all the magical witchy vibes!

Thank you @netgalley for the chance to read this book for an honest review!

This is a mixed bag for me as I found it quite slow but also more complex.
I was glad to meet again the characters and appreciated the extended world building.
Good character development.
I recommend it, better read the series in order.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

i enjoyed the book, it was fun and interesting. It piqued my interest most of the times but it didn't grip me. The plot was good but i couldnt connect with the caracters. Having said that, I'm curious to read more.

This would be the perfect read for someone who enjoys some light reading. For me it’s just ehh. Not enough mystery, action or romance on any accord. It’s written well I just wish there was a lot more to it. I didn’t connect with any character or really grasp on to the story. I wasn’t bored but also not thrilled.

I found the book lacking after reading book one.

It really fell short for me. I loved seeing more from Edwina but I was a little bored.

I really wanted to love it.

I really enjoyed the world building in this one. It felt lacking in the first book and this more than made up for it. However, the book was slow. I would have enjoyed a more even pacing over the world building. I did like the characters but the story felt thick and hard to get through. A bit like pea soup. Otherwise, I did enjoy and cannot wait to see what the author writers next.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and Luanne G. Smith

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was a part of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

I am sorry for any issues caused by this and I will be more careful in the future.

Rounded up to 3.5 stars. Book 2 in the Conspiracy of Magic Trilogy. I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first one. The world building really took place in this one. Witches and wizards always reals me in. In the first book we are taken on a journey of discovery, the sisters magic, the mysterious Ian and how it all comes together. In this book it really gives that end story of rounding all the characters up and closing it off. Not sure if this one will have another book in the series. Might be a good idea to get the back story on how Mary's story played out like it did. An entertaining read, a bit slow in places but with a good close off.

Thank you Netgalley and 47North for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

The Raven Song

< img src="https://www.amazon.com/reviews/edit-review/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_vote_edit?ie=UTF8&reviewID=R12SZGQS9UQZNL&asin=1542034043">

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5’star read

Fleeing Victorian London, a witch finds her newfound independence comes with all-new perils—both mortal and immortal.

Forever untangling the branches of her strange family tree, Edwina Blackwood is at a turning point. Her parents’ disappearances still strike her as unaccountably odd. Her sister’s questionable life and untimely death have left her shaken. Spellfire has transformed her home and livelihood to ash. And now a devious stalker is on her trail. With supernatural detective Ian Cameron by her side, Edwina can’t get out of London fast enough.

Gaining safe passage, she finds refuge with Sir Henry Elvanfoot, famed wizard of the north, and is promised protection from ill-aimed curses. But in this unfamiliar city of fair folk and witches, where the veil between Earth and the Otherworld is about to be lifted, something is amiss. How else to explain Edwina’s sudden prophetic visions? Or the fear that surviving whoever pursues her will require the powers of an ancient bloodline she’s only beginning to comprehend?

Whatever destiny awaits, it’s Edwina’s to finally control. Where will it lead? Only time, cunning, and magic—in this world or the Other—will tell.

Review to come closer to Pubday

Following her sister's death, and faced with a stalked who's just burned down her shop, Edwina flees London to seek safety with the wizard of the north. With her ability to shapeshift into a raven, Edwina, the wizard Elvenfoot, and Ian-- the man who helped her flee London-- wonder if she may be fey-touched, and if that's perhaps the reason her stalker is pursuing her.

The narrative style was a little more distant than I'm used to, and I found that I really liked it, especially since this is a story about magic and the faeries set in the mortal world, that distance really helped set the tone for me.
I really liked the premise of this book, but I got lost in the details a few times-- I wish some of the explanations had been fleshed out a little more.

The Raven Song is a fantasy novel full of fairies, witches, wizards and more magical beings. It is the second book of a series. Edwina is running from a stalker who has destroyed everything in her life and Ian is trying to protect her.
I had a difficult time in reading this book since I have not read the The Raven Spell. Other than some bits, I could not understand what happened previously in the story. Better to read the first one before this book. Standalone reading is not a good idea for this book. There is excellent world building and maybe if I had read the first book, I would have enjoyed this a bit more. It's a very slow paced novel and I had a tough time being engrossed in the story. Not a bad story but it goes in circles almost till the end, when everything happens

In the second Conspiracy of Magic book, it picks right up where it left off with The Raven Spell. As they prepare to bury Mary, Edwina discovers she has a stalker who is determined to harm her, Spellfire sends her shop and all of her belongings up in ash, sending her on the run with Ian. She seeks shelter with Sir Henry Elvanfoot But in this unfamiliar city of fair folk and witches, where the veil between Earth and the Otherworld is about to be lifted, something is amiss. How else to explain Edwina’s sudden prophetic visions? Or the fear that surviving whoever pursues her will require the powers of an ancient bloodline she’s only beginning to comprehend?
I am a huge fan of this author's books and loved the first book in the series, so I was excited to read this one as well. This one had a slightly darker feel to it, but it was no less enjoyable than the first book, it just had a slightly different tone. It was definitely full of excitement, and I couldn't put it down. Edwina was in a constant state of danger, as was Ian, and I love both of those characters. It introduced several new characters, since the storyline moved up north, where Sir Henry Elvanfoot lives and where Ian is from. I would definitely suggest reading the first book before you read this one, so that you fully understand all that is going on, but these books are so good, you will want to anyway. If you are a fan of fantasy fiction, then this needs to be at the top of your TBR pile. I highly recommend it!

Full teaser review at https://wellreadpiratequeen.blogspot.com/2022/10/ill-sleep-when-ive-read-raven-song-by.html
*******************""""""""""""
I have been looking forward to The Raven Song since before I even finished the first in the series, The Raven Spell, back in March. There were so many questions left unanswered ... and so much more swooning to be done over Ian Cameron ... and now that I've finished The Raven Song I anxiously await announcement for a third installment. I just know that the new twists and turns (and Smith is great at twists and turns) will be niggling at the back of my brain for quite some time.

And, of course, there's Ian....

I know that some have said that you can read the second without having read the first. I suppose that you could, but you will be missing out on so much if you do. Besides, this isn't due to release for over a week so that gives you plenty of time to get the first ... especially if you stay up late and/or wake up early to finish reading.

Someone wants Edwina to know she’s being watched. So much so that she needs to flee London for her safety. But her new location isn’t all that safe either. But Ian, Hob, and Elvanfoot have her best interests in mind. While Ian is on a case, Edwina can’t help being drawn into it. In a slow, unraveling mystery, many secrets come to light.

Even though I figured out our suspect early on, it didn’t deter my enjoyment of the book. There were a few discrepancies, such as Edwina rereading a note after it had dissolved and disappeared. But this is an ARC, so I imagine they will fix those things before release day. I enjoy how this slowly came together; we didn’t need it to be at breakneck speed, which worked well here. I love the world Smith has created, and the inclusion of magic and varying Fae creatures makes this a fun world to read. Thank you, 47North, for sending this along!

Thank you to 47North and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
I loved Luanne Smith’s The Vine Witch series and couldn’t wait to see what she came up with next and she does not disappoint!

The Raven Song is the second book in the Conspiracy of Magic series, The Raven Spell is the first. The Author builds a magical environment filled with a host of characters you will route for. I don’t want to give anything away, so let me share that if you enjoy books filled with magic, friendship, and fantasy, this series is the one for you.

""I've searched my whole life to understand how and why I came to be this creature that no one recognizes." A gear clicked in her chest. A key turned in a lock. Pin tumblers aligned and sighed open with relief. A heart was freed to be what it was meant to be."⠀
⠀
Luanne G. Smith, The Raven Song⠀
⠀
The Raven Song by Luanne Smith is an intriguing sequel to A Raven Spell. I loved Edwina and lan in the first book so it was wonderful to revisit them and their adventures. This book focuses heavily on Edwina and her mission to unravel the mystery of her stalker. She travels with Ian to his hometown and discovers even more mysteries have yet to be unraveled. The different scenes and locations are fascinating and I love the historical aspects of the trains and apothecaries. This book also heavily featured Fae and Unseelies, as well as spells and other witchy aesthetics so I was immediately drawn in. My favorite little elf, Hob, was also more prominent in this story and I think he brought a lot of humor and spunk to it in his own way. If you're a fan of historical fantasy or magical stories, this book is a great one to add to your TBR. It comes out in a month; perfect for the witching season!⠀

I read The Raven Spell and hoped to get the chance to review The Raven Song.

In exchange for my honest review, I received an ARC from NetGalley and 47 North.

This book has an eerie, gothic vibe from the magic and Victorian setting. I loved how we received answers from questions brought up in the previous book, but not immediately. I felt like I received a little reveal and then another mystery before the next reveal. In addition to the magical elements, there's a stalker, who upped the tension. Not only is Edwina in danger, but Ian faces an unknown foe.

I loved the paths Edwina and Ian take as they attempt to unravel the mystery behind the stalker and Edwina's past. Following false trails. Finding a spark of hope. Missing a clue. Having a dangerous miscommunication. And not knowing the extent of the powers they face. What should Edwina do with these prophetic visions? Does she see truly?

So often, Edwina and Ian are separated and fighting on their own. I kept trying to figure out what would happen next, but there were twists that surprised me—and that always thrills me.

The world building is spot on, as well as the writing and characterization. Smith is a fantasy genius and I'm looking forward to her next book.

I highly recommend this book and series.